List of Welding Schools & Classes in Virginia
Virginia is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Its coastal location makes it the perfect place to learn maritime welding and related skills.
Welders working in Virginia can find employment in shipyards, on ships and other vessels, and in standard manufacturing and production settings.
Virginia’s network of over 20 community colleges supports welding training in the state. Regardless of where you live within Virginia, there is a community college near you!
Most two-year institutions in the state of Virginia offer certificate or diploma options for welders. Students can choose to specialize in combination welding, maritime welding, or related skills.
The following is a round-up of the top community colleges and technical schools offering welding programs. Whether you are an entry-level welder seeking certification for employment or a veteran welder adding new skills to your resume, these fast and affordable programs will help you achieve success at work this year.
1) ArcWeld Training & Testing
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://arcweldtesting.com/
- Telephone: (888) 333-0805
- Location: 7014 Warwick Blvd Newport News, VA 23607
ArcWeld Training & Testing opened in 2014. The center is accredited with the American Welding Society (AWS) and serves as an official welding testing facility.
Several entry-level welding programs are offered at ArcWeld. They range in duration from 120 to 750 hours. The center is proud to offer 95% hands-on learning time.
Skills covered in class include SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, structural welding principles, and pipe welding techniques.
2) Byers Technical Institute
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: $4,500-$13,440
- Website: https://byerstechnicalinstitute.com/about/
- Telephone: (540) 258-1028
- Location: 2694 Glasgow Hwy Buena Vista, VA 24416
Byers Technical Institute was opened by Ron Byers in 2017. The school offers several welding program options for hobbyists and career-seekers alike.
The Introduction to Welding option is ideal for those wanting to learn how to weld at home. Students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW and oxyfuel cutting during evening classes. This option includes 50 learning hours.
Future welders wanting to learn the trade fast can take the Accelerated Welding Program at Byers Technical Institute. This option runs for 14 weeks and covers the main welding processes, blueprint reading, and cutting skills.
Longer program offerings include Combination Pipe Welding and Pipe/Mechanical Welding. The combination option runs for 28 weeks and covers pipe welding and fitting.
The Pipe/Mechanical program includes 40 weeks of instruction in advanced welding processes, rigging, metallurgy, and more.
3) Dennis Inspection
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://dennisinspection.com/certified-welder-program/
- Telephone: (540) 535-5170
- Location: 172 Butler Ln. White Post, VA 22663
Dennis Inspection offers welding inspection, consultation, and education services. The company’s 80-hour welding certification program is ideal for entry-level welders.
Students learn fundamental welding processes like SMAW and GMAW. Layouts and cutting skills are also covered in the program.
4) VA School of Metal
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: $275-$9,500
- Website: https://vaschoolofmetal.com/courses/#welding-ns
- Telephone: (434) 531-3517
- Location: 102 Industrial Dr. Troy, VA 22974
VA School of Metal opened in 2012 and is owned by Steve Brownell. He has 50 years of experience in the welding industry.
The school offers programs ranging from 8 hours to 280 hours in length. Classes are organized by level and goal. Students pursuing welding as a hobby can take individual classes covering the main welding processes.
Career-focused students can choose from two Career Bundle programs. These options include 224 and 272 program hours. SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, cutting, fabrication, and blueprint reading are covered to prepare students for the workforce.
5) Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW
- Price: $310-$1195
- Website: https://vablacksmithing.org/january-28-29-2023-beginning-welding-welding-cart-16794/
- Telephone: (434) 960-9718
- Location: 724 N. Augusta Ave. Waynesboro, VA 22980
Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing is the only certified artistic blacksmithing school in the state of Virginia. The school offers all types of metalworking classes, including welding.
Hobby welders learn the basics of GMAW by creating their own welding cart or welding table. More information on upcoming class dates and times can be found on the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing’s website.
6) Tidewater Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.tcc.edu/programs/welding/#TCC%20Certified%20Welder%20Program
- Telephone: (757) 833-1111
- Location: 120 Campus Dr. Portsmouth, VA 23701
Tidewater Community College opened in 1968 and is the second-largest community college in Virginia.
The school offers a 33-credit welding program that covers all the essential welding processes. Students also learn cutting, oxyacetylene welding, and pipe welding processes.
7) Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, SMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.pvcc.edu/programs/welding
- Telephone: (434) 977-3900
- Location: 501 College Dr. Charlottesville, VA 22902
Piedmont Virginia Community College is one of 23 community colleges in the Virginia system (VCCS). The college opened in 1972 and serves the city of Charlottesville and surrounding counties.
The basic welding program at Piedmont includes SMAW, GMAW, pipe welding, and fitting.
8) Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://centralvirginia.edu/programs-classes/industry-and-manufacturing/welding-technology
- Telephone: (434) 832-7800
- Location: 3506 Wards Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24502
Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) serves students in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties. The college has three certificate options for welders.
The Welding Technology certificate is completed in one year and covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, pipe welding, drawing, and metallurgy.
This is the most comprehensive option. Other certificate options can be reviewed on the CVCC website.
9) Reynolds Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, SMAW
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://catalog.reynolds.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=362
- Telephone: (804) 371-3000
- Location: locations in Richmond
Reynolds Community College opened in 1972 and serves 11,000 students in five counties. The school offers 16 and 17-credit career studies certificates (CSC) in welding.
The 16-credit program includes classes on GMAW, GTAW, drawing, and ornamental welding. The 17-credit option covers FCAW and SMAW, layouts, metallurgy, and pipe welding.
10) Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://sw.edu/welding/
- Telephone: (276) 964-2555
- Location: 635 Community College Rd. Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
Southwest Virginia Community College, or SWCC, opened in 1967 and offers over 80 programs. The school serves students living in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties.
Topics learned in SWCC’s welding program include SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, pipe welding, and fabrication.
11) Paul D. Camp Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.pdc.edu/explore-camp/industrial-technology-trades/csc-general-welding/
- Telephone: (757) 569-6700
- Location: 100 North College Dr. Franklin, VA 23851
Paul D. Camp Community College offers general welding and maritime welding certificates.
General welding students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, blueprint reading, and machining skills that can be applied to many work environments.
The maritime welding program runs for three weeks and focuses on stick welding for ship repairs.
12) Career & Technical Education Center
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://nhrec.org/ctec/program-model-chart/welding/
- Telephone: (757) 766-1100
- Location: 2 campuses in Newport News, VA
The Career & Technical Education Center has operated in the Newport News area for over 40 years. The center offers a beginner-friendly welding program.
Topics learned in the program include welding theory, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and cutting processes.
For more information on enrollment and tuition costs, visit the center’s website.
13) Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.brcc.edu/continuinged/welding/
- Telephone: (540) 234-9261
- Location: 4901 Crowe Dr. Suite 4915 Mt. Crawford, VA 22841
Blue Ridge Community College, or BRCC, is part of the Virginia Community College System. The college opened in 1967 and serves the central Shenandoah Valley region.
Welding education is offered at BRCC through its continuing education program. The school’s welding facility is located in Mt. Crawford.
Welding students learn all the skills necessary for success as entry-level workers. These skills include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and pipe welding.
14) Virginia Western Community College (VWCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/building-trades/welding/
- Telephone: (540) 857-7272
- Location: 3094 Colonial Ave. Roanoke, VA 24015
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) opened in 1966 and offers day and evening classes to fit a variety of schedules.
VWCC offers a career studies certificate in welding and metal processing. Students learn GMAW, GTAW, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and more.
15) Mountain Empire Community College (MECC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.mecc.edu/?pathway-types=manufacturing
- Telephone: (276) 523-3400
- Location: 3441 Mountain Empire Rd. Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Mountain Empire Community College, or MECC, serves students in Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties. The school offers a welding certificate and two career studies certificate options.
Students learn the basics of SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, oxyfuel cutting, and plasma arc cutting. To learn more about which certificate is right for you, visit MECC’s website or contact an academic advisor at the number provided.
16) Tidewater Tech
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://tidewatertechtrades.edu/
- Telephone: (757) 858-8324
- Location: 4535 E Princess Anne Rd. Norfolk, VA 23502
Tidewater Tech offers fast, practical programs in today’s top industries.
Welding students at Tidewater can choose from combination welding or maritime welding programs. Skills covered in both programs include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and cutting.
Special emphasis is placed on pipe welding in the maritime program.
17) Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: http://catalog.es.vccs.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=649
- Telephone: (757) 789-1789
- Location: 29300 Lankford Hwy. Melfa, VA 23410
Eastern Shore Community College, or ESCC, offers a career studies certificate in welding. This is a stepping stone to obtaining an associate of applied science degree in technical studies, if desired.
Welding students learn SMAW, GMAW, drawing, and more. The certificate includes 25 total credits.
18) Centura College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.centuracollege.edu/programs/skilled-trades/combination-welding/
- Telephone: (877) 523-9528
- Location: 7914 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Centura College opened its first location in 1983. The college offers a diploma in combination welding.
The diploma program can be completed in 12 months. Day and evening classes are available to accommodate different schedules.
SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and cutting processes are covered.
19) Virginia Technical Institute
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.govti.org/courses/welding
- Telephone: (434) 369-8200
- Location: 201 Ogden Rd. Altavista, VA 24517
Virginia Technical Institute offers fast and affordable programs in a range of industries. The school has a welding program that covers all the skills needed for employment.
Welding students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, cutting, symbols, blueprint reading, and pipe welding processes.
20) New River Community College (NRCC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://catalog.nr.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=30&poid=1215
- Telephone: (540) 674-3600
- Location: Dublin and Christiansburg locations
New River Community College, or NRCC, operates in the New River Valley region of Virginia. The school ranks as one of the best community colleges in the country.
The Welding program at NRCC covers math, drawing, metallurgy, SMAW, and GMAW in 35 credits.
21) Southside Virginia Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://catalog.southside.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=10&poid=917&returnto=1043
- Telephone: (434) 736-2933
- Location: 118 E Danville St. South Hill, VA 23970
Southside Virginia Community College offers a 38-credit certificate program in welding.
Classes include GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and a variety of electives.